Commute and Cars Opinion

#11
If you've had a Saturn, I'd tell you to go out and get a Chev. Cobalt. The Pontiac G5 is the same and it also shares much of the last Saturn (Astra) Major components. I've had a 06 from new, I rent them all the time and I think they are a nice little car. You can get a good deal because the Cruze is soon to replace it and the dealers need to get rid of them.
 
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Wes Bucey

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#13
If you've had a Saturn, I'd tell you to go out and get a Chev. Cobalt. The Pontiac G5 is the same and it also shares much of the last Saturn (Astra) Major components. I've had a 06 from new, I rent them all the time and I think they are a nice little car. You can get a good deal because the Cruze is soon to replace it and the dealers need to get rid of them.
Speaking of purchasing fleet cars, many rental companies are reducing their fleets and some good bargains can be had PLUS you usually can get the maintenance records. As with all used car purchases, either be a mechanic or bring one to check out the vehicle (up on a lift!) - you don't want to buy someone else's troubles.
 

Hershal

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#14
When I am in the office, it is 77 miles door to door. Last August I went from a Hyundai Accent to a brand spanking new Kia Rio. So far I have over 20K miles, and it is holding up well. Mileage runs between 34 and 38 (unless I am in town or fighting Santa Anas). The satellite radio works well.
 
P

palmer

#15
I'm kind of a car nut, so I'll throw in my opinion on this. I don't like Saturns anyway, but I will try to give an unbiased opinion. Having a valve job done will not wear out anything else like your pistons or rings. At 250k though, I would also replace the timing chain (or belt??) while it was open. If you like everything else, you probably won't do any better for $500.
I have been told by many people over the last 30 years that when you put rebuilt valves on top of a block that has not been rebuilt it causes more wear on the block.

It always made sense to me. None of the people who stated this to me were professional mechanics (I don't think so anyway. There might have been 1 or2 possibly)

I ALWAYS have the timing belt or chain replaced whenever work is done that requires getting most of the parts off that are involved in replacing them.

I'm no expert but I have performed my fair share of backyard mechanic work. Most of the intensive work always takes me a loooong time with several mistakes along the way:lmao:
 

Le Chiffre

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#16
I notice all the recommendations are coming from US drivers and not surprisingly no-one's mentioned diesel. It's a no-brainer for Europeans but granted they have much more choice in diesel cars. In North America we really only have the TDI's from Volkswagen in plentiful supply on the used car market.
The fuel savings are considerable, especially for long, highway type of motoring. VW doesn't get traditional-Toyota reliability but if you avoid the superfluous electronic options, they last forever. The turbos can be a ticking time bomb if regular oil changes are neglected but many are diagnosed as dead-turbos when it's just a case of sticky VNT vanes.

Just thought I'd throw in an alternative :bigwave:
 

Brizilla

Quite Involved in Discussions
#17
Buying a used reliable car might be the way to go. I have a 1993 Ford Escort Wagon that I inherited about 5 years ago. It's got about 275K miles and I've put maybe a grand in it in the last 5 years. It get's between 28-32 MPG around town and about 42 on the highway. If it breaks they're are only about a gazillion of them out there for parts but I might look at a Ford Focus this fall.
 
P

palmer

#18
Well, I had a mechanic do the work to repair my car. $630 to replace 2 valves on same head and timing chain. My valve cover was leaking as well so this got repaired too.

I can't complain. Not a total valve job but repaired the bad, cleaned up the rest and got a timing chain and oil leak fixed as well. :cool:

Whether this was the best solution or not, I don't know but thanks for all the input and listening to me whining about my woes....:lmao:
 
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